Carols in the Domain

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Carols in the Domain is an annual Australian Christmas concert event held in the Domain Gardens in Sydney. It began in 1983 and features many national and international performers and guest appearances. It is broadcast around Australia on the Seven Network and simulcast on Smooth FM. The free event has traditionally been held on the last Saturday before Christmas Eve exclusive; however, from 2016 it has been held on the last Sunday before Christmas Eve exclusive. Carols in the Domain has become one of Australia's largest free Christmas events.

Performing in the domain has been a Wiggly tradition since 1993, though there have been references to The Wiggles appearing in 1992 and even 1991. They may have made untelevised appearances during the day's events during these years, but this is not confirmed. The group was absent from the festivity in 2011 for the first time.

The Wiggles, who have performed since their early years, most commonly sing Go Santa Go, Here Come The Reindeer & Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star at the event. Since 2007, they have annually done a human pyramid during the latter song. Sam is on the top from 2007 to 2008, then Jeff in 2009, Bláthnaid Conroy Murphy in 2010 and now Captain Feathersword from 2012-present.

Anthony was absent from the closing of the annual concert in 2008 and 2009 due to his injuries. He also wore a cast in the 2004 show, due to an injury he had from the Santa's Rockin'! Live In Concert tour. Speaking of absences, Lachy was absent from the closing of the 2021 show.

It is a major supporter of The Salvation Army's OASIS Youth Support Network.

The Domain is directly South from the Sydney Opera House.

The 2013 performance is currently available on Plex and the 2014 performance is currently available on Tubi.

Songs

1993

NOTE: The Wiggles also participated in the opening song with other celebrities appearing in the event.

• Dorothy The Dinosaur
• Rock-A-Bye Your Bear
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

1994

NOTE: Same practice as 1993 set.

• D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favourite Dinosaur)
• Hot Potato
• Here Comes Santa Claus

1995

NOTE: Both songs performed separately. The Wiggles came out for Jingle Bells with a group of artists. Dorothy also came on stage, replacing Monica Trapaga's faulty microphone and 'playing' the saxophone during Tempany Deckert's performance of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.

• Can You (Point Your Fingers And Do The Twist?)
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

1996

NOTE: Both songs performed separately. The Wiggles also participated in the opening song with other celebrities appearing in the event and came out for Jingle Bells with other children's artists, including Peter Combe and the Sesame Street mascots.

• Here Comes Santa Claus
• Go Santa Go

1997

NOTE: Both songs performed separately. The Wiggles also came out for Jingle Bells with other artists.

• Let's Clap Hands for Santa Claus
• Wiggly Medley

1998

NOTE: Same practice as 1997 set.

• The Monkey Dance
• Wiggly Christmas Medley

1999

NOTE: The Wiggles came out for Jingle Bells with other artists, with Greg introducing the arrival of Santa Claus by spelling it out. They also appeared in a group song.

• Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car
• Here Come The Wiggles
• Go Santa Go

2000

NOTE: Songs performed separately, with the latter two listed songs performed together. The Wiggles came out for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells with other artists. They also appeared in a group song.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Curoo Curoo (with Morgan Crowley)
• Go Santa Go

2001

NOTE: Greg and Murray went to retrieve Santa Claus in the Big Red Car and returned to sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells with a group of artists. They also appeared during a group medley led by Troy Cassar-Daley and reprised Go Santa Go during the final medley for the first time.

• The Wiggle Owl Medley
• Here Come The Reindeer
• Go Santa Go

2002

NOTE: The latter listed song performed separately. Greg and Murray went to retrieve Santa Claus in the Big Red Car and returned to sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells with a group of artists. They also appeared in a group song led by Rob Guest. This would be the last time they don't sing Go Santa Go until 2020.

• Wiggly Party
• And the World Is One On A Christmas Morning
• Here Come The Reindeer

2003

NOTE: Both songs performed separately. The Wiggles came out for Jingle Bells with other artists. They also appeared in a group song led by Troy Cassar-Daley and Melinda Schneider. On this point forward until 2020 they would perform Go Santa Go.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Go Santa Go

2004

NOTE: The Wiggles also came out for Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells with other artists. They also appeared in a group song.

• Go Santa Go
• This Little Baby Is Born Again (with Ross Wilson)
• Here Come The Reindeer

2005

NOTE: Final year for Greg at Carols until 2012 & 2021. The Wiggles also came out for Jingle Bells with other artists.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Go Santa Go

2006

NOTE: First year for Sam at Carols. The Wiggles introduced Santa Claus at the end of their set and sang Jingle Bells with him and other artists.

• Wiggly Go-Go Medley
• Here Come The Reindeer
• Great Big Man In Red
• Go Santa Go

2007

NOTE: The latter two listed songs performed separately. The Wiggles also came out for Jingle Bells with other artists.

• Ring-A-Ding-A-Ding Dong!
• Here Come The Reindeer
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
• Go Santa Go

2008

NOTE: The Wiggles introduced Santa Claus at the end of their set and sang Jingle Bells with him and other artists.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Great Big Man In Red
• Go Santa Go

2009

NOTE: The latter two listed songs performed separately. The Wiggles also came out for Jingle Bells with other artists. Sam also appeared without The Wiggles to sing a solo rendition of O Holy Night.

• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
• Go Santa Go
• Christmas Star
• Here Come The Reindeer

2010

NOTE: The final year for Sam at Carols. Before Go Santa Go, The Wiggles phoned Santa Claus, who was with the fire department and rushed him down to Carols. Following Santa's arrival, The Wiggles proceeded to perform Jingle Bells with other artists.

• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
• Here Come The Reindeer
• Go Santa Go

2011

NOTE: Although The Wiggles do not perform at the Carols due to health concerns. As such, Go Santa Go was not sung in the finale group medley, making it the first time since 2001 where the song was not performed in that case.

2012

NOTE: The last regular TV appearance of Greg, Murray and Jeff at Carols (until 2021) and the first for Simon, Lachy and Emma. It is also the debut of the latter three as official Wiggles. The band helped commemorate Carols in the Domain's 30th anniversary by singing Happy Birthday to Carols, following with the introduction of Santa Claus. They then proceeded to sing Jingle Bells with other artists and as an exclusive for that year, reprised Go Santa Go as the last song in the finale medley.

• Wiggle 2012 Medley
• Here Come The Reindeer
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
• Go Santa Go

2013

NOTE: Captain Feathersword came out to sing Jingle Bells with Justine Clarke and other artists, marking the first time since 1995 that The Wiggles did not come out for that song.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Curoo Curoo
• Go Santa Go

2014

NOTE: The Wiggles introduced Santa Claus at the end of their set, who arrived at the event passing down the crowd. They then proceeded to sing Jingle Bells with him and other artists.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Emma's Christmas Bow
• Silent Night
• Go Santa Go

2015

NOTE: The Wiggles also appeared with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other artists to sing Jingle Bells.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
• Go Santa Go

2016

NOTE: The Wiggles also came out for Jingle Bells with other artists.

• Go Santa Go
• The Sailor's Christmas Hornpipe
• Here Come The Reindeer

2017

NOTE: First time Henry and Wags were absent at Carols since 1995, as well as the first where neither the Wiggles nor Captain Feathersword came out to perform Jingle Bells with other artists.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
• Go Santa Go

2018

NOTE: Right after their set, The Wiggles were asked to fetch Santa Claus in the Big Red Car, eventually arriving with him to sing Jingle Bells with other artists.

• Away in a Manger
• Here Come The Reindeer
• Go Santa Go

2019

NOTE: First appearance of Shirley Shawn at Carols.

• Curoo Curoo (with Mirusia Louwerse)
• Here Come The Reindeer
• Go Santa Go

2020

NOTE: The original cardboard design of the Big Red Car appears on stage throughout their performance and The Wiggly Mascots stand behind it during the latter song. This is the first time since 2002 where they don't sing Go Santa Go. However, it was sung during the finale group medley.

• Christmas 2020 Medley
• Here Come The Reindeer

2021

NOTE: Final year for Emma at Carols, the first for Tsehay and John, and the only year for Kelly. Murray, Jeff and Greg also make a comeback for this year as OG Wiggles to celebrate the group's 30th anniversary. Evie was originally meant to make her Carols debut here, but was absent and was substituted with her sister, Ella Ferris. Henry and Shirley Shawn were also absent for this year for unknown reasons.

• Ring-A-Ding-A-Ding Dong!
• Here Come The Reindeer
• Go Santa Go

2022

NOTE: First year for Evie, Caterina, Lucia, and Bok the Hand Puppet at Carols. In commemoration of Carol's 40th birthday, The Wiggles specially introduced Santa Claus right after their set and sang Jingle Bells with him and other artists.

• Here Come The Reindeer (with Pinkfong and Baby Shark)
• Baby Shark (with Pinkfong and Baby Shark)
• Go Santa Go!

2023

NOTE: At the end of their set, Anthony asked where Santa was. We then see Santa at the North Pole, who gets a reminder on his phone and rides his sleigh to Carols. Other artists and performers have joined The Wiggly Group on stage by the time Santa arrives and they all sing Jingle Bells together. Shirley Shawn the Unicorn and Bok the Hand Puppet were absent for this year for unknown reasons.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Go Santa Go
• Bouncing Balls (Christmas Version)

2024

NOTE: Draft based off of past performances and traditions.

• Here Come The Reindeer
• Go Santa Go

Trivia

• The 1993 and '95 shows mark the first time The Wiggles covered Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which took place way before their studio recordings in the Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas album in 1996.
• The '94 and '96 shows also mark the first time The Wiggles covered Here Comes Santa Claus, before its studio recording in the Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas video in 1997. However, the '96 performance marks the first usage of the backing instrumental of the song which would later be used in the mentioned video. It is unknown why this track was left off of the album.
• From 1995 to 1998, 2000, 2002-2003, 2007 and 2009, The Wiggles' setlist at Carols would consist of two songs (three in the case of 2000 and 2002 and four in 2007 and 2009), played separately to make way and interchange with other children's artists and guests appearing at the event.
• Out of all the main Wiggly Friends, Dorothy the Dinosaur has made the largest number of appearances at the event, appearing almost every year since 1993. From 1995 onwards, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus would start appearing at the event, with the exception of 2017, where Henry and Wags were seemingly absent and in 2021, where Henry was absent alongside Shirley Shawn.
• During certain years, The Wiggly Friends would sport certain Christmas apparel, with The Wiggles in some years wearing Santa hats.
  • 1993: Dorothy sported red tinsel around her neck, left arm and tail and gold on her right arm.
  • 1994: The Wiggles except Greg wore Santa hats. Dorothy sported tinsel again, this time with gold tinsel around her arms and green tinsel on her feet and tail. She also sported a Santa hat on top of her usual white floppy hat. For The Wiggles, Anthony wore dark tartan pants instead of the plain, black and standard long pants the group would usually wear for unknown reasons.
  • 1995: Dorothy sported tinsel once again, with gold tinsel wrapped around her body and red tinsel around her neck. Wags sported a Santa hat and the Captain wore a green bandana underneath his pirate hat. For The Wiggles, this was one of the first times Anthony began to sport his blue colour skivvy as a permanent colour from then on.
  • 1996: Dorothy sported tinsel yet again, with gold tinsel around her hat and green tinsel on her arms and feet. Anthony also wore a deely bobber during the closing of the show.
  • 1997: Dorothy yet again has tinsel, with green tinsel around her hat and arms. Like in the 1996 performance, Anthony also wore a deely bobber during the closing of the show.
  • 1998: The Wiggles and The Wiggly Mascots sported Santa hats. (NOTE: This only happened during the Wiggly Christmas Medley) During the closing of the show, The Non-realistic Wiggly Humans wore reindeer antlers while The Wiggly Mascots kept their Santa hats.
  • 1999: Dorothy wore a choir robe during the closing of the show.
  • 2000: Dorothy sported a glittered green vest during the closing of the show.
  • 2001: Captain Feathersword sported his glittered pirate vest, which would be later used for some future Christmas projects and concerts.
  • 2002: Captain Feathersword once again had his glittered pirate vest, with Dorothy sporting a gold vest, Wags sporting a red vest and Henry sporting a green vest.
  • 2003: Wags dressed up as Santa, with his white beard and hat during Here Come The Reindeer and omitted the beard for Go Santa Go.
  • 2004: The Wiggly Mascots sported the same sets of Christmas costumes they wore during Santa's Rockin'! Live In Concert. Wags sporting a blue vest with tinsel, Dorothy sporting a pink vest with tinsel, Henry sporting a yellow cape with tinsel.
  • 2005: The Wiggly Mascots sported the same sets of costume they wore during the finale of Wiggledancing! Live In The U.S.A. and Wiggledancing! Live In Concert.
  • 2006: Same as 2005 set for The Wiggly Mascots. Captain Feathersword also sported Santa Claus' hat and wig during Great Big Man In Red.
• Anthony Field provided the voice of Dorothy the Dinosaur in 1993.
• The '95 performance marks the following:
  • One of the earliest appearances of Paul Paddick as Captain Feathersword.
  • One of the earliest usages of Dorothy's 3rd costume design, which would be used up until early 1997, after The Wiggles already updated their skivvies and belt buckles.
  • One of the final usages of Henry's first costume design.
  • The only known time The Wiggles were backed by the live orchestra and didn't supply their own backing track or music in their main set, during Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.
• The '93' and '94 performances also had a keyboard on set which provided the backing tracks for Dorothy the Dinosaur, Rock-A-Bye Your Bear, D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favourite Dinosaur) and Here Comes Santa Claus, along with the usual guitars. The keyboard would later appear again in the 1998 performance, during The Monkey Dance, however it was handheld by Jeff.
• From 1997-2002 The Wiggly Friends join The Wiggles and other artists singing the group finale medley.
• Since 1998, The Wiggly Dancers and occasionally other children's dancers would appear alongside The Wiggles and their friends at the event, with the exception of the 2002, 2008, 2012, 2020, 2021 and 2023 sets.
• Other secondary Wiggles characters also made appearances at the event, including:
  • Officer Beaples (1998-1999)
  • Ringo the Ringmaster (2009-2010)
  • The Tree of Wisdom (2022-2023)
• The 2000 performance marks the following:
  • One of the earliest appearances of Henry's 5th costume design and Dorothy's 6th costume design, both which would be used up until 2006, with various changes during this timeline.
  • The first time that The Wiggles set for Carols also featured a special guest (Morgan Crowley). Later sets to feature a guest included Ross Wilson in 2004, Mirusia Louwerse in 2019 and Pinkfong and Baby Shark in 2022.
• Since 2001, Go Santa Go has been performed in the finale group medley of the show, with the exception of 2011's show, where The Wiggles were absent.
• In December 2001, an interview shows that The Wiggles were originally planning to appear on roller-skates at Carols in the Domain 2001, indicating that they were planning to perform Do The Owl.
• The 2002 performance reused footage from 2001 of Greg, Murray and Santa Claus in the inflatable Big Red Car, against different backgrounds.
• The 2005 performance marks one of the first usages of Wags' 6th costume design.
• In 1999, 2001-2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2022, The Wiggles would be in charge of bringing in Santa Claus to the event, via an introduction (where they would ask the audience to spell out Santa's name) or a pick-up from the Big Red Car.
• The 2018 show was the only performance to feature the current motorized Big Red Car.
• The 2020 performance marks the following:
  • It is the first time to be held indoors (at the Aware Theatre) instead of outdoors (at the Domain itself) as well as the first to not be filmed in front of a live audience.
  • It is also the first time where Captain Feathersword is absent from the finale medley since 1996.
  • It is also the first show to feature the original plywood Big Red Car.

Goofs

• In the 2012 concert, Murray dubs Emma as the first female Wiggle; however, the first woman to be a Wiggle was former Taiwanese Wiggle Anni Hsu, whose tenure predates Emma's by nine years.

External links

• Carols in the Domain at Wikipedia